LA 73 not close to finished

PRAIRIEVILLE - After nearly three years of work, the $15.5 million dollar project to widen LA 73 isn't near completion.

The Department of Transportation and Development set a new deadline for the contractor to finish, but it won't arrive until the Summer of 2015.

Crews got extra time because of unforeseen problems with utilities and weather delays.

Drivers aren't thrilled they'll have to wait longer for a new road and longer in traffic.

"Usually it takes me about ten minutes to get to work, now it takes me about 25, after them stopping the road every five minutes, so a bulldozer can pass or a dump truck can dump some dirt or something, so it takes like 25 minutes now," said Kelsey Small, who works on LA 73.

Some people think it's time the contractor faces consequences for failing to finish quick enough.

"I understand the reason behind it, but its seems like after a while they should say, here's your date and there's penalties for not meeting it," said Horace Shows, who tries to avoid LA 73 when he can.

The contractor will face a $3,000 a day fine if work continues past the summer deadline.